A man arrested over the fatal stabbing of a 35-year-old trans woman in Marbella allegedly confessed to a neighbour immediately after the killing, it has emerged.
The 59-year-old suspect is accused of killing the woman inside the home they shared in San Pedro de Alcantara on Monday afternoon.
Police sources familiar with the investigation told Malaga Hoy that the man told a neighbour that he had stabbed the victim to death.
That neighbour then alerted the emergency services, triggering a police response to the property on Calle Castilla, in the Los Catalanes area.
The victim, who was of Asian origin, was found inside the property suffering from stab wounds.
Paramedics were unable to save her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Couple reportedly had frequent arguments
Police believe the suspect and victim had been in a romantic relationship and had been living together at the property for some time, although they were not believed to be married.
Neighbours questioned by investigators reportedly said arguments between the couple were frequent.
Police are now investigating their relationship and the circumstances leading up to Monday’s killing.
The first alerts were received at around 4.15pm, prompting several Policia Nacional and Marbella Local Police units to attend the scene.
The suspect was subsequently arrested and was expected to remain in police custody on Tuesday pending an appearance before a judge.
Case being investigated as domestic violence
The killing was initially reported as a suspected case of gender violence.
However, police sources have since clarified that it is being investigated as a homicide within the context of domestic violence rather than gender violence.
According to the sources, this is because the victim was a trans woman who had reportedly not completed the legal procedure to change her registered sex.
Under Spain’s legal framework, the formal classification of a case as gender violence has specific legal implications relating to violence committed by a man against a woman who is or has been his intimate partner.
The investigation continues.
